Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan

Parassini Sree Muthappan is the most popular local god in the north Kerala especially in Kannur district. Muthappan is also the theyyam performed in the famous Parassini Sree Muthappan temple on north of Kannur town. Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple is situated 18 km away from Kannur on the banks of river Valapattanam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Muthappan, believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. This is the only one temple in Kerala where the Folk art form of North Kerala ‘Theyyam’ is presented daily. Toddy and dried fish are the main offerings in this temple. Facility for boating is also available here. Parassinikadavu Snake Park is situated near the temple.

Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple is not a Kshethram but it is a madappura. Unlike other temples, the devotees can 'interact' with the God as they pour out their grievances in a free-wheeling 'chat' with the tastefully decorated "Muthappan Theyyam", an artist who assumes 'divinity' by representing the God. The theyyam responds with convincing solutions, which are believed by the devotees as sacred and that of the God. Muthappan theyyam then parts with the liquor and elder male devotees take it as ‘necter’ while the other offerings are set apart for dogs, considered the Lord’s pet animal, which eagerly wait outside the temple to pick up the dishes. Sree Muthappan is always accompanied by a dog. Here dogs are considered sacred and can be seen in large numbers around the temple.